Omaha daily bee., 1887-09-10
HOW OUR BATTLES WERE WON
Shown by the Big G. A. r. Sham Fight
Yesterday.
VETS" AND INFANTRY IN LINE.
An Interesting Engagement in which
600 Soldiers Quickly Dispose
of 10000 Rounds Of
Ammunition.

The early morning rain Of yesterday
had discouraging effect upon the
attendance at Camp John A, Logan. The
ground became damp and many Of the
campers found it impossible to light their
fires for breakfast. The storm impressed
some people with the belief that it would
continue throughout the day, and this
thought impelled thousands of them to
take the most convenient trains for home.
The sun, however, came out bright and
warm before 10 o'clock and soon
dried the ground and the damp
ened tents. Each incoming
of visitors, manly from the city and
these spent the day in viewing the sights,
conversing with the veterans and finally
witnessing the sham battle, which took
place in the afternoon on the parade
ground. The attendance was such that not
alone the visitors stand was full but the
sides of the square were lined by human
beings three and four rows deep. The
battle was contested without respect to
federal or confederate lines. The in.
fantry was divided, the larger and more
successful body being under the COM
mand of Major Butler, of the Second in
fantry, the gallant and experienced officer
in charge of the United States troops on
the ground the weaker being under the
direction of Major Porter. The veterans
were also divided, the victors being under
the opposing side by 5. b.. Jones:
There were about six hundred
soldiers engaged in the fight.
The command of Major Butler first
took up position on the west side of the
| field and bivoucked. They were soon
| followed by Colonel Woodrutf's light
battery, who sought secluson in the
bushes in the northwest corner of the
\ square, where water was convenient.
| About two hundred veterans took up
| position in the rear of the infantry and
soon after the enemy put out a picket
squad, which was met and driven back
by similar body from Major Butler 8
troops. Another and larger squad was
sent out by Major Porter. which pressed
an opposing force back almost upon the
lines, when relief was afforded them by
the main body, with the result that Por-
ter's amen were again driven back.
Finally, the latter officer determined on
an attack, and led his troops to the
front, where they were resisted by
superior numbers and prevented from
| going beyond the middle of the field. Be
tween the opposing lines distance OF
| perhaps two hundred feet lntervened.
| lnere tney nalteu anu Openeu anu COutlu.
ued rattle of musketry for five min-
utes. during which time each soldier
fired as frequently as his skill at manip-
ulating the rifle would allow him. Vic
tory seemed uncertain, but at the bugle' g
command Colonel Woodrutfs battery
dashed to the scene and poured into the
Porter men, with the effect that the latter
dropped back out of sight of the people
in the main stand. They made another
resistance, however, when the Butler
command and Woodruff's battery again
made it warm for them for five minutes
more, when they finally gave up the con
test and fled. The veterans accom-
panied each side in its retrea,
and advance in the regular
conflict, hut beyond this took no actual
part. There were many delays in the
battle, but on the whole it was quite a
commendable struggle and enabled some
people to realize how dreadful war may
be when contending forces struggle for
supremacy. Twenty thousand rounds OF
ammunition were provided for the fight
ana all were consumed.
To-day the veterans will return to theil
homes, the camp will be dismantled anl
the Nebraska soldiers reunion Of 1887
will be memory of the past.